Fender Acquires Tacoma!!!

[gt5litre]

I am kind of bummed considering what has happened to other brands Fender purchased in the past. Sunn is gone, De Armond all but dead and Guild. Guild is still breathing, but many models have been trimmed or dropped altogether.

 

The sale will keep retain the employees and the Tacoma factory. Production of all USA Guilds will be transferred to the Tacoma facility. Let's hope for the best.

 

Brent

[PapaTom]

I hope for the best but I fear the worst.

[bigmo66]

I posted this on a couple other forums:

 

 

Although I am not crazy about the whole ordeal, it's not my company nor my wallet that controls these business ventures. I have known about the acquisition for a while as Tacoma was "cool" enough to keep me posted. Tacoma has always had a different approach. They did not start out as a small Luthier in the garage, rather a state of the art 42,000 sq. ft. guitar building facility. They have always built guitars for OEMs and competitors. This may not seem like a good idea, but they had to use the facility to make money! You'd be surprised to know who they have built guitars for. Now we have to sit back and see how all this pans out. I have been told that they are still going to make and sell all-solid Tacom guitars with a slim-downed line, but all models still available as custom orders. Now we will see USA guitars made such as Gretsch, Guild and Charvel Jackson. Many people are getting their jobs back and a US manufacturing facility will be busy as all get out. Same people, same facility, same machines building USA made guitars. Yes, it sucks to lose the pure brand identity, but the acoustic guitar market is tough and saturated like never before. My hope is that FMIC knows a good thing when they see it and continues to produce a great product. It sure gives us Tacomites something to talk about for a long time!

 

[PapaTom]

BigMo, as usual you make one feel more optimistic about the situation. I'm still hoping for the best.

[geek_usa]

Fender is just no good with acoustics. Fender, please, just stick with the stratocaster and telecaster. if you would have stopped there, things would still be in good hands for you guys, and your reputation would not be so bad.

[bigmo66]

 

Originally posted by geek_usa Fender is just no good with acoustics. Fender, please, just stick with the stratocaster and telecaster. if you would have stopped there, things would still be in good hands for you guys, and your reputation would not be so bad.

 

 

I am sure that the acquisition of a state of the art, proven facility is a reason for this deal. I think Fender realized the need for a better product and this was the motivation behind the acquisition of tacoma resources.

[tommyld]

I was quite suprised, a bit bummed, but as some others said, it could turn out quite well.

 

Now Tacoma has big money/suppor to ensure their existance and support more innovation and lines.

 

It also seems like they trust Tacoma and what they're doing---that they might leave them alone to a certain extent--in their decision to let them produce Guild guitars as well. So it seems they understand. Could turn out good. This could give Tacoma the chance they deserve to become a really big name in acoustics.

[OrvilleGibson]

IMHO, it could result in better Tacomas. I know I'm in the minority here, but everytime I pick up a Tacoma, I get a good feeling about the sound. That is, until I look at the inside, check the fit and finish, etc. Even on $1000+ guitars, it looks like the necks went straight from a shaper straight to the finish room, barely sanded. Sloppy bracework, glue, etc. on top of that. There are plenty of competitors in the same boat, but there are also a lot of others that pay attention to the little things.

 

I'll give them points for the sound, but better work wouldn't hurt.

[kwakatak]

Remember that Fender closed down Guild's factory in Rhode Island. Big corporations sometimes do screwy things that defy logic.

[FlyingBloodyFrogBiscuit]

 

Originally posted by kwakatak Remember that Fender closed down Guild's factory in Rhode Island. Big corporations sometimes do screwy things that defy logic.

 

It's perfectly logical, business-wise. New England labor and land costs, as well as taxes, are notoriously high. Many manufacturers of all types have been pulling out of New England for years. If guitarists weren't such snobs about their axes being made in the US, you bet your sweet ass Fender would be makinig Tacomas and Guilds in Mexico right now.

[solitaire]

Yes it's a pitty. It's like trying to make whisky in Japan. Every plant has a soul and an aim. Moving the production and things wont be the same, even if the same woods are used and the same luthiers make them.

It feels like Fender is beknownst of their lack of experience in building acoustics and trying to fill that gap they seem to think experience is for grasp. And owning a plant is one thing, moving the production quite something else.

I find many similarities with car production where GM, Ford, BMW and Volkswagen has obtained most of the competing brands. Would that mean better cars? Not by a long shot.

[EvilTwin]

Damn, I go without the internet for a week and I miss this news.

 

This is horrible news, if you ask me. Fender just hasn't shown me that they know what to do with acoustics.

 

And I love Tacomas. My DM18 is my favorite acoustic. I shudder to think what Fender might do to them.

 

Maybe Guild will improve through this, though. Maybe a silver lining...

[jerry_picker]

http://news.harmony-central.com/News/2004/Fender-Acquires-Tacoma.html

 

(Aren't some FMIC Guilds made in China?)

If they leave Tacoma intact, this might be a good thing, eventually. If not, I fear that the name may be watered down with "new" product lines andor elimination of some current lines. This deal smacks more of Guild than Gretsch.

 

When is Fender just going to get it over with and acquire Gibson???